Pudge's Agent Gives Tigers Counteroffer

Baseball - The Beat

Ivan Rodriguez's agent made a counteroffer Friday to the Detroit Tigers, who already have offered the 10-time all-star catcher a deal worth $40 million over four years.

"We communicated today and continued to talk," agent Scott Boras said, without going into details on his proposal.

Rodriguez, the top free agent still unsigned, was at the White House on Friday along with the Florida Marlins to celebrate their World Series victory over the New York Yankees. He did not speak with reporters.

ESTES ON BOARD WITH ROX

LHP Shawn Estes agreed to a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies and was invited to spring training.

Estes, 30, would get a $600,000, one-year contract if he is added to the 40-man roster, plus the chance to earn $250,000 more in performance bonuses based on innings. He must pass a physical before the deal can be finalized.

After winning 19 games for the San Francisco Giants in 1997 and 15 games in 2000, Estes has gone 22-31 the past three seasons, including 8-11 with a 5.73 ERA for the Chicago Cubs last year.

VAN POPPEL ADDED TO ROSTER

RHP Todd Van Poppel, who joined the Cincinnati Reds last July and saw limited action, was added to the Reds' 40-man roster.

Van Poppel, 32, went 2-1 with a 4.54 ERA in nine appearances for Cincinnati, including 2-1 and a 3.70 ERA in his four starts, last season. He opted for free agency in November, then signed a minor- league contract with the Reds in December.

ROYALS, MAY REACH PACT

LHP Darrell May and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $4.95 million, two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

May, 31, was 10-8 with one shutout and a career-best 3.77 ERA last year, leading the team in victories. He also set career highs for wins, appearances (35), starts (32), innings (210) and strikeouts (115).

KARSAY THROWS AGAIN

New York Yankees reliever Steve Karsay reported no problems after his fourth bullpen session in the past two weeks.

The right-hander threw 30 fastballs at the Yankees' minor-league complex. He did not pitch last season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery in May.

EXPOS HIRE RODRIGUEZ

Eddie Rodriguez was hired as bench coach of the Montreal Expos.

Rodriguez, who spent the past three seasons on Manager Bob Brenly's staff with the Arizona Diamondbacks, replaces Brad Mills, who joined the Boston Red Sox this month.

The 44-year-old Rodriguez was third-base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 and also has coached in the minor leagues for Toronto, Arizona and Anaheim.

FORMER OUTFIELDER DIES

John Blatnik, an outfielder who played three seasons in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, has died. He was 82.

Blatnik died Wednesday at his home in eastern Ohio after an extended illness, his friend, Mike Corley, said.

Blatnik played in 121 games as a rookie with Philadelphia in 1948, batting .260 with six homers, 45 RBIs and 27 doubles. He appeared in just 17 more games the following two seasons with the Phillies and Cardinals, ending his career as a .253 hitter.